By: Ricky Casner
As a Gunsmith, I have always seen beauty in the way a firearm functions; I love the way different components can work together in a flawless fashion to bring about an ultimate outcome.
However, I understand that not all people share this sentiment. Even still, understanding a firearm’s functionality can save lives. This is true when storing them, carrying them, and shooting them, but I would like to focus today on how understanding the functionality of a firearm can save one’s life when they find themselves on the wrong end of a firearm.
All firearms have flaws and limitations. Firearms are distance tools, which means that they are better utilized at a distance. When used at close distances, a firearm’s weaknesses and limitations can be more easily exploited in the assaulted person’s favor.
Following, are three videos that illustrate this point. The first, is a wonderful video demonstrating the functionality of a firearm1. The second, is of a Krav Maga instructor exploiting these weaknesses and limitations to disarm his opponent2. The third, is a video of an actual firearm disarming situation4.
In the second video, the Krav Maga instructor knows that there is very likely one round in the chamber. He, in one movement, forces the gun in a safer direction and causes the firearm to malfunction by grabbing the slide, keeping it from feeding and chambering another round should the gun fire.
While watching these videos, keep in mind that all firearms function on the same basic cycle of operation, which is: feeding, chambering, locking, firing, unlocking, extracting, ejecting, and cocking3. Also, during the second video, ask yourself, at what step, in the firearm’s cycle of operation, did the instructor grab the gun and how could this cause a malfunction?
Obviously, mastering this knowledge and these disarming techniques will take more effort than watching it on You Tube, so click HERE and HERE for more information on how Forward Movement Training Center can prepare you to survive situations like these.
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References
- 45Snipers. (2015, May 21). How a semi-automatic handgun works. Retrieved 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqZsSk5FFX4
- Arietti, A. (2013, March 22). Krav Maga training: The fastest gun disarm. Retrieved 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmQk3DnTcSs
- Hall, H. (2014, January 9). Internal ballistics – part 1: The cycle of operation and firearm function. Retrieved September 24, 2016, from Aegis Academy: http://aegisacademy.com/internal-ballistics-part-1-cycle-of-operations-and-firearm-function/
- Marx, V. (2013, May 3). Shotgun disarm in real-life robbery situation (gun disarm). Retrieved 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCP1AGC2pBk
About Ricky Casner
In 2008, following a two year ecclesiastical mission, Ricky chose to focus his professional endeavors on firearms and firearms education. In 2010, Ricky graduated from the Colorado School of Trades with an associate degree in Gunsmithing. Since that time, Ricky has practiced as a gunsmith, built machine guns for foreign and domestic militaries, and owned and operated a Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) business in Colorado. Currently, Ricky is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Idaho in Recreation, Tourism, and Sports Management and is the Marketing Director for Forward Movement Training Center in Meridian, Idaho.
